It’s one thing to establish your Core Values. It’s another to really live them each day and stay true to an essential set of timeless principles, especially in a world of constant cultural and societal shifts.
Your company’s core principles shouldn’t be based on current trends or mere popular opinion. They should be firmly aligned with your company vision while also being true to who you are, both as a person and a founder. It’s deeply important that these principles come from your essential, universal truths and aren’t derived from any external force or influence.
As founders, we’re almost always receiving feedback from other people, both internal and separate from our organizations. This feedback, even if it's well-intentioned, can pose challenges or setbacks or even require detours, some of which are not ultimately helpful or even necessary. It can be easy to lose sight of what’s truly a problem and what’s simply, for lack of a better term, noise. When in doubt, look to your core principles for guidance. The better you are at differentiating real problems from this noise, the better off your company will be going forward.
PERSPECTIVES
“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” — William Shakespeare
“Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself.” ― Marva Collins
MARK MY WORDS
So, once you’ve done the hard work of defining your company’s evergreen core principles, what are some steps you can take to ensure your commitment to them? Here are some actionable ways to apply an organizational focus on core principles and resist the pull of luxury beliefs.
Cultivate a merit-based culture: Make sure promotions, rewards, and recognition within your company are purely based on performance and contributions.
Encourage open dialogue: Create spaces where team members can engage in open dialogue without fear of retribution. This helps prevent groupthink and encourages solutions that align with your company’s core principles.
Prioritize long-term value creation: Focus on cultivating sustainable business practices and strategies that build long-term value rather than short-term gains driven by industry or marketplace trends.
Stay informed and adaptive: Stay in-the-know when it comes to regulatory changes and societal trends, but don’t be swayed by every new ideological wave.
Lead by example: As founders and leaders, our actions set the tone for the entire company. Demonstrate a commitment to your core principles in your daily decisions and interactions.
There are times when holding fast to core principles can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Focus on prioritizing true productivity, humanity, and resilience — and try to tune out all the excess noise. By taking practical steps to foster an agreements-based culture, you can navigate the world’s perpetually changing landscape and create a company that is authentic, steadfast, and thriving.
TUNE IN
Delve into the ways a well-defined vision shapes a high-trust, agreements-based culture, attracts Ideal Customers, and lays the groundwork for long-term growth. I’m also getting into the importance of founders aligning their actions with their vision to establish credibility and trust, ultimately paving the way for success in their ventures.
